For many people, their working-from-home experience began around six months ago. For others, they may have been working remotely for years. However, for the individuals for whom this is a new – and not entirely welcome – change, it can be difficult to adjust, and after six months it may feel easy to be drawn into negativity. Perhaps you miss the easy socialization of the office, or you find it difficult to concentrate on your own. These are all valid concerns. However, you mustn’t forget that working from home offers its own unique advantages. Here are a few examples, to remind you that it isn’t all doom and gloom.
Your Time is Flexible
One of the greatest advantages of working from home is that you can learn just how flexible your time is. Without the pressures of entering an office at 9 am and leaving it at 5 pm, people have found new schedules that can be tailored to their individual preferences. For example, without the wasted time of a commute, some employees have found it useful to start working at 8 am, or even 7 am, enabling them to finish one or two hours earlier, and enjoy the afternoon sunshine. Working from home allows you to take your lunch break whenever suits you, and it has taught many employers that flexi-time is much more feasible than they may have supposed.
Home Can Be Anywhere
Just as your time is flexible, so is your location. With remote working in place, you may even be able to consider relocating abroad (somewhere with lots of sunshine) whilst keeping your current job. You can literally live anywhere. Have you ever fancied moving to the Middle East – how about Ezdan, in Doha, where you can enjoy the luxury living the region is famous for? How about escaping to the European culture of Paris, or Vienna? You could even embrace countryside living a little closer to home if you’re not ready for the big leap abroad. If you’re working from home, the world is your oyster.
Escape Micro-Management
How many of you have experienced a manager breathing down the back of your neck, watching your every move? It isn’t pleasant, is it? Micro-management is a massive problem in many office environments, affecting productivity, performance, and the mental health of employees who need to feel trusted and appreciated. In the move to remote working, companies have learned that they need to rely on their workers. You are now in a position where no one can breathe down your neck – doesn’t that feel nice?
Find a New Perspective
Sometimes, the best way to crack a problem, or make a breakthrough, is to find a new perspective. Anyone who’s watched a detective show can tell you that! Working from home can do just that – it gives you a new perspective. Away from the everyday surroundings of the office, you may find you can look at your work with fresh eyes. Make sure to grab hold of this opportunity with both hands, and see working from home as a new challenge and an advantage to be seized.